Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, Texas
End of Watch Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Add to My HeroesJames David Coleman
Corrections Officer V James Coleman died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty at the Middleton Unit in Abilene, Texas.
Officer Coleman had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and one child.
The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement
Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.
Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 900 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.
Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.
Bio
- Age 53
- Tour 20 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
- Incident Date Monday, April 27, 2020
Most Recent Reflection
View all 68 ReflectionsPraying for your family, friends, colleagues, agencies during this very difficult time for them and all of us. Thank you for your service! We shall remember you with pride and admiration always! May God Bless the Blue!
“The peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called sons [children] of God.” [Matthew 5:9 HCSB];
“Those who mourn are blessed, for they will be comforted.” [Matthew 5:4 HCSB], and;
“No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13 HCSB]
Depart in peace, Brother-in-Blue; in the name of God the Father who created you; in the name of Christ Jesus who redeemed you; in the name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you. May you rest in peace and dwell forever with the Lord. Amen.
Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, CIMT, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed/Certified Independent Ecumenical Clergy / Chaplain
Ministry: Law Enforcement Chaplaincy
Merrimack, NH 03054
Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS
Nashua NH and Merrimack NH Police Departments
July 1, 2020
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